Book Markers 10.18.12

Robert A. Caro, whose house in East Hampton has an accompanying uninsulated writing shed that’s known herculean bouts of key-pounding, has been named one of five finalists for a National Book Award in nonfiction. The title, need it be said, is “The Passage of Power,” the latest installment in what might be the biography of the age, “The Years of Lyndon Johnson,” published by Alfred A. Knopf. The winners will be announced on Nov. 14 at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan.

Talkin’ “Cloud Atlas”

Sci-fi fans, this one’s big. The Wachowskis of “The Matrix” fame will roll out their $100 million adaptation of David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas” on Friday, Oct. 26. In the meantime, why not start reading the genre-eclipsing book itself? Which could then be followed by a freewheeling discussion of same at the next meeting of the East Hampton Library’s science fiction book club on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. The club’s nothing if not welcoming: Those who do nothing more than watch the movie have been invited. Heck, just stop in cold to see if you’d like to proceed with either, paper or screen, and help yourself to some refreshments.

The book, it should be noted, was short-listed for the 2004 Booker Prize. It spans the South Pacific of the 19th century and a dystopian future.

Obser Motors On

Eileen Obser, that friendly neighborhood writing coach, is back at it. To wit: a writing workshop focusing on personal essays and memoir. This one starts on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton, lasts about two hours, and meets for four weekly sessions for a cost of $65. Ms. Obser will help participants bear down on what exactly about themselves they want to share with readers and why, as well as, in her words, “how the fine line between memory and invention is meshed.” Writers of all abilities can sign up.